Maintenance and periodic replacement
The braking system is one of the main safety elements active in any vehicle. Of its various components, the materials that cause friction - brake discs and brake pads - need to be periodically maintained and replaced, as they are subject to wear.
To ensure that the braking system is always in perfect working order, both brake pads and brake discs must be maintained in the best possible condition. Indeed, each time the vehicle brakes, the friction generated causes the material used in both the brake pads and the brake discs to become worn.
To avoid compromising the working order of the braking system, when a certain level of wear has been reached, the brake discs and brake pads must be replaced.
The minimum thickness of the braking band (Min TH) is indicated on the brake discs, while the brake pads usually feature a wear indicator that signals when the pads need to be replaced.
When to replace brake discs and brake pads
We recommend checking your brakes every 15,000/20,000 kilometres, but a check-up should be performed immediately if the vehicle presents signs of vibration.
The main signals that indicate that the brake disc or brake pads are worn or deteriorated are:
• the warning light comes on (when one is present, and only for the brake pads)
• noise occurs during braking
• presence of vibrations
• presence of deep circular lines or radial cracks on the braking band
• signs of overheating
In some cases, the level of the brake fluid may also provide useful information about the rate of wear of the brake discs and brake pads. When the brake pads and discs become worn, the small piston of the brake caliper is forced to travel further in order to compensate for the loss of brake disc and/or pad thickness, in turn absorbing a larger quantity of brake fluid that causes the appropriate warning light on the dashboard to light up.
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Calipers and hydraulic components
Brake calipers and other hydraulic components of the braking system (pipes, brake cylinders, master cylinder) are not replaced due to wear caused by friction, but due to accidental deterioration or breakage.
Brembo's fifty years of experience in the production of brake calipers for Original Equipment enables the company to offer a full range of remanufactured calipers, a process that offers an alternative solution to replacing the calipers that are faulty or deteriorated with new ones, yet preserving the same high levels of quality and safety of the originals.
Indeed, the process for remanufacturing the calipers is subject to the same rigorous technical standards in place for the original equipment, cleaning the caliper and replacing all the internal components that are subject to wear and tear.
All Brembo calipers are therefore covered with an anti-corrosion protective layer and undergo functional tests to ensure that they work perfectly.
Brembo remanufactured brake calipers are not only convenient and reliable but also an eco-friendly choice in line with the company's policies that focus on reducing the environmental impact, a result that is possible here as the caliper body can be recycled.
Brake disc and brake pad: the perfect duo
Use of a low quality brake disc, as well as compromising the safety and efficiency of the braking action, also causes the brake pad to deteriorate. And vice versa.
At the same time, failing to replace a worn component will create more wear or may cause the other component to deteriorate.
Brake pads and brake discs work together so they must be maintained also bearing this characteristic in mind.
It is important to remember that when the brake discs are replaced, the brake pads must also be changed.
On the contrary, the brake pads can be replaced without changing the brake discs, as long as these are not too worn (thickness of the braking band is near the limit established).
Indeed brake pads wear down faster than brake discs. Under normal conditions, a set of brake pads lasts half the duration of a brake disc.
A brief running-in period is always needed
Brake discs and brake pads are the heart of the braking system and their perfect working efficiency is reflected in the active safety of the vehicle. However, a brief period of running-in is needed (approximately 300 km) from when the brake discs and brake pads are replaced. During this period, the driver should make brief, soft braking movements to allow the surfaces of the brake pads in contact with the brake discs to align correctly. A poor running-in period could cause the components to wear down irregularly and compromise the performance of the braking system.
